Council to consider ‘no confidence’ vote in mayor’s leadership

Top Fung aide blasts measure as 'political posturing'

Daniel Kittredge
Posted 8/21/15

A resolution expressing no confidence in the leadership of Mayor Allan Fung will be considered by the City Council on Monday.

The measure – co-sponsored by Council President John …

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Council to consider ‘no confidence’ vote in mayor’s leadership

Top Fung aide blasts measure as 'political posturing'

Posted

A resolution expressing no confidence in the leadership of Mayor Allan Fung will be considered by the City Council on Monday.

The measure – co-sponsored by Council President John Lanni, Council Vice President Richard Santamaria and Ward 4 Councilman Mario Aceto – is titled Resolution of the City Council expressing a complete lack of confidence in Mayor Fung’s ability to continue to lead the city of Cranston.”

It points to the recently released Rhode Island State Police assessment report of the Cranston Police Department, which is highly critical of Fung, his administration, and the former leadership of the department.  

The resolution states that according to state police, most of the Departments troubles can be attributed to the poor leadership of the Departments top officers, political interference and influence by Mayor Fung and members of his administration. It points to the reports findings that the close relationship between Fung, former Chief of Police Col. Marco Palombo Jr. and former union president Capt. Stephen Antonucci was problematic and resulted in numerous issues.

The resolution further states that Fung failed to provide clear and accurate reasons and rationales for the decisions he had taken during a recent special session of the council, and accepts the state police findings that in essence the Cranston Police Department was grossly mismanaged under the leadership of Mayor Fung.

In a statement responding to the resolution, Carlos Lopez Estrada, Fungs chief of staff, accuses the council of political grandstanding.

Instead of working together, members of the Council spend their time on political posturing for next years election, the statement reads. The Democratic majority on the City Council may think this resolution will help [Cranston Democratic City Committee Chairman] Mike Sepe’s campaign for Mayor, but it certainly accomplishes nothing to benefit the residents or the Cranston Police Department.”

Lopez Estradas statement also points to concrete steps Fung has taken to address issues that have plagued the Cranston Police Department for decades – including the appointment of Col. Michael Winquist as chief of police – and the mayors leadership in terms of economic development and improved fiscal standing.

The council on Monday is also set to consider a resolution calling for the reinstatement of Matthew Josefson to the rank of sergeant. According to the state police report, Josefson was unfairly targeted with disciplinary charges under the previous police regime and wrongly demoted to patrolman. He still remains at the lower rank.

Mondays meeting begins at 7 p.m. in City Halls Council Chambers. The full agenda can be found here.

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